Hurricanes News

2015 NHL Draft: Live from Florida, Round 1

SUNRISE, Fla. – The highly anticipated first day of the 2015 NHL Draft is here, and CarolinaHurricanes.com is live in South Florida to bring you full coverage. For the second time in three years, the Carolina Hurricanes hold the fifth overall pick and are looking to land an impact player.

Below you will find all the latest news and information related to tonight’s first round in one handy location. Make this running blog a regular stop from now until late in the night, as we update it with news, videos, photos and plenty more.

It's closing in on midnight here at BB&T Center, and the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft is complete. Below, you'll find written coverage of the Canes' fifth-overall pick Noah Hanifin. In addition, here are a collection of videos for your enjoyment:

We'll be back here bright and early on Saturday morning to bring you rounds two through seven, in which the Hurricanes are currently slated to make nine picks. Good night!

STORY: HANIFIN BOLSTERS CANES' DEFENSIVE DEPTH11:45 p.m.

The microphone at BB&T Center crackled as Carolina Hurricanes Executive Vice President and General Manager Ron Francis was announcing the team’s fifth overall draft pick, muffling the audio ever so slightly.

That was about the only thing that didn’t go right for the Canes in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft. And even still, there was no doubt of the name Francis called out: Noah Hanifin, Boston College.

Hanifin, 18, was the consensus best defensive prospect available, and NHL’s Central Scouting Service ranked him third among North American skaters. There was wonder if he’d even be available at No. 5.

For the second year in a row, the Carolina Hurricanes selected a defenseman with their first-round draft pick. Last year, it was Haydn Fleury. This year, it was Noah Hanifin.

Hanifin, a 6-foot-3, 203-pound United States-born blueliner, was considered the top defensive prospect available in the 2015 NHL Draft, and the NHL’s Central Scouting Service ranked him third among North American skaters.

After four straight selections of forwards and the Hurricanes on the clock at No. 5, Hanifin was the first defenseman to come off the board.

“I can’t even really describe it right now,” Hanifin said in his first media scrum as a member of the Hurricanes’ organization. “It’s an unbelievable feeling.”

Noah Hanifin held his first media scrum as a member of the Hurricanes' organization just a little bit ago. Here is some of what he had to say:

On being drafted: "I can’t even really describe it right now. It’s an unbelievable feeling. ... I wanted to go to a team that wanted me. Obviously Carolina saw something in me, and I’m going to work as hard as I can for this organization."

On speaking with Carolina prior to the draft: "I got a really good vibe with the staff there and Ron Francis. I wanted to go to a team that wanted me, and they saw something in me. I’m extremely proud to be wearing this sweater right now."

On making the step up to the NHL: "It’s definitely going to be a step up in every aspect. It’s a lot faster and more physical. You’re playing against men. I think the biggest jump going into the NHL isn’t even the hockey aspect; it’s the mental aspect. Making that jump is a very tough thing to do. … It’s a business now, and you have to perform every night. I think that’s probably going to be the toughest thing."

On if he's ever been to North Carolina: "I haven’t, but I hear great things about it. ... I’m really excited to be a part of this organization right now, and I’m looking forward to going to rookie camp."

Plenty more coming tonight!

CANES SELECT HANIFIN7:45 p.m.

The Canes selected defenseman Noah Hanifin with the fifth overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft. Before we jump into the media frenzy, get to know the newest member of the Hurricanes organization with our prospect profile and the graphic below.

Much more coming as the night rolls on!

ABOUT THAT TIME7:00 p.m.

The 2015 NHL Draft will be underway shortly. Here's a pre-draft peek of action on the floor.

We're roughly 90 minutes from the beginning of the 2015 NHL Draft, and we had a chance to speak with the Hurricanes Director of Amateur Scouting Tony MacDonald. Here are the highlights.

On if he could share who the team is picking: "Wish I could. We'll find out when we get there. We've got them lined up the way we want them. We have them in the right order."

On the impact the fifth pick could have: "We believe that the player we take should be capable of stepping in and playing."

On the excitement at the table: "We’re in a good spot. I don’t think you want to give up that advantage. We’re going to get a player that we really like, a player that we’re very excited about, one I think the fans will be excited about, too.”

On if other teams have interest in the fifth pick: "There has been some interest, but not as much as three, I guess. … In the end, it would take an awful lot for us to move that fifth pick. I don’t think Ron has any intention of doing that unless somebody made you one of those offers that you couldn’t refuse”

ON THE DRAFT FLOOR4:30 p.m.

We're getting settled in at BB&T Center to bring you full coverage of the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft. We'll be delivering all of your written and video updates here in a timely manner, and be sure to follow along on all of our social properties for behind-the-scenes extras.

BLANK SPACE2:15 p.m.

What name do you want to see on the back of this Canes sweater tonight? Will it be one of the seven we profiled above?

HELLO, FLORIDA1:00 p.m.

The stage is set at BB&T Center for the 2015 NHL Draft, which will get underway at 7 p.m., and we’ll be bringing you all the action.